Two Tufted Titmice – rarely seen in this area – were among the 2,600 birds counted during the 13th annual Christmas Bird Count, conducted Jan. 4 in the Saugeen Shores area by volunteers from MacGregor Point Provincial Park and Friends of MacGregor.

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is a citizen science project initiated by an ornithologist in 1900 that grew to include 2,000 localities across Canada, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Now in its 117th year, the CBC has a huge database of information about the distribution of winter bird populations over the past century – information that helps determine species-specific migration patterns, population size estimates and ultimately aids in significant conservation measures.

Although “disappointed” that bad weather hampered the count, local volunteer/ organizer Norah Toth said the data collected in a 24-kilometre area between Paisley and MacGregor Point Provincial Park will help paint a picture of bird and environmental health for the Audubon Society, that acts as a central repository. The Saugeen Shores count, one of 50 or 60 bird counts in Ontario.

“This year, we saw 2,600 birds, which is down from over 12,000 birds last year,” Toth said in a Dec. 5 telephone interview, adding local volunteers spotted 16 species of birds, including “fairly interesting” sightings of an Iceland Gull near the Southampton landfill, a sighting of a Golden Eagle in the Paisley area, and a lone Canada Goose – last year they counted approximately 5,000 Canada Geese in the Saugeen Shores area.

Toth said the day of the count, 26 volunteers set out in blowing snow, driving side roads and visiting bird feeders, to take the counts.

Toth said in the short-term the data gathered may not be that beneficial, but long-term it “tells trends” for bird populations and locations.

Sheepishly, Toth confirmed that she was again awarded the Rubber Chicken award, given to the Saugeen Shores volunteer who saw the least number of birds.